There is no better way to familiarize yourself with the cast of the Star Wars Holiday Special than with the opening credits which run through a selection of headshots displayed over a drab starfield background.

The Star Wars Holiday Special. Starring...

"Starring
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker."

"Harrison Ford as Han Solo."

"with, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO."

"Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca."

"R2-D2 as R2-D2."

"And, James Earl Jones as the voice of
Darth Vader."

"Introducing Chewbacca's family..."

"His wife, Malla."

"His father, Itchy."

"His son, Lumpy."

"With special guest stars..."

"Beatrice Arthur."

"Art Carney."

"Diahann Carroll."

"The Jefferson Starship."

"Harvey Korman."

"And an animated Star Wars story on..."

"The Star Wars Holiday Special."

With a cast like this how could one possibly go wrong? Children in 1978 were just aching to see Bea Arthur in the Star Wars universe and at last their dreams would come to life right before their eyes.